Whale and dolphin watching

How to choose a good whale watch trip?

WDC receives many requests from supporters seeking advice on whale watching. Whether you are planning the trip of a lifetime to see whales in Antarctica or Australia, or just want to take a half-day excursion the on your holiday in New England, Iceland or Tenerife,: you will probably be faced with a bewildering choice of whale watch tours!

It can be difficult to know which one to choose.  It is important to recognise that a good trip is one which is not only enjoyable, educational and safe for the passengers, but also treats the whales and dolphins being watched with care and respect – and this means minimum intrusion. The welfare of whales and dolphins is key so we support ‘no-go’ zones and respite periods during the day when no tours are permitted, to give whales and dolphins some respite from continuous targeting by vessels.

Whale watch operations are usually commercial ventures and those operators offering a sub-standard service rely on passengers choosing indiscriminately and just getting on the first boat they see. So, before you book a trip, do some research and make sure that you are happy with what is on offer before you get on board!

A good operator will:

• Put the whales and dolphins first

This means careful and responsible boat handling. We are uninvited guests in the whales’ world and we are privileged to see them. We have a responsibility to cause as little disturbance as possible. It is always tempting to try to get as close, especially if you are taking photos. But remember: they are truly wild and constant disturbance can seriously affect their ability to feed, rest and rear their young. In fact, careful and considerate behaviour around the whales usually results in much longer encounters with them, plus the added bonus of observing more interesting and natural behaviour.

• Follow regulations or guidelines governing whale watching

In some parts of the world, there are regulations governing whale watching with legal enforcement.  Elsewhere, there may be a voluntary code of conduct, relying on the goodwill of operators. Worse still, there are areas where whale watching is completely unmanaged, with nothing to prevent irresponsible operators from harassing whales and dolphins in an attempt to get their passengers close to the whales as quickly as possible.  It is a good idea to find out whether any regulations or voluntary codes apply in the region. Ask the operator some questions to show that you are aware of regulations and don’t be afraid to speak up if you feel that a vessel is not being handled responsibly.

• Have adequate safety provisions

A safe whale watch boat should have an experienced skipper and crew, with appropriate training, licensing and safety equipment. The trip should include a safety briefing for all passengers.

• Offer high standards of customer care

This means honest advertising of what passengers can expect from the trip. This may include offering a “sightings success rate” but this should be realistic as, with few exceptions, it is virtually impossible to guarantee sightings on every trip. Every aspect of the trip should be professional, including punctual departures; the vessel should be clean and the crew friendly and polite. If a trip has to be cancelled due to adverse sea and weather conditions, find out whether there is a policy of offering free places on a future trip.

• Have an onboard naturalist-guide

This is really important and can really enhance the trip and make for a really memorable experience! Choose a vessel which offers some form of educational commentary – larger boats may employ a trained naturalist but on smaller boats, the skipper may also act as the guide. It can be difficult to positively identify a whale or dolphin which is some distance away and here, the trained eyes of the guide will help you to identify that “small black fin to starboard”. The guide will also be able to interpret the behaviour of the whales and dolphins being observed and this can really add to your understanding and enjoyment of the experience.

• Carry out research and support whale conservation

On some boats, the naturalist-guide may also use the vessel for research activities, such as logging sightings and conducting photo-identification studies. Sometimes passengers may be able to assist with these. Do join in if you can as this adds a new dimension to the experience and is also an excellent way of learning and feeling more involved.  A good operator realises that ongoing research can benefit their business by providing a continually expanding source of knowledge on the local whales and their daily and seasonal movements. Some companies also donate a percentage of profits to organisations like WDC.